Phelps Elects Nine Partners in 2024 Class

NEW ORLEANS — Jan. 5, 2024 — Phelps is pleased to jump-start 2024 with the election of its largest-ever partner class. The Firm welcomes nine new partners across its footprint to reinforce the support it provides businesses that power the Southeast’s major industries.

Phelps’ 2024 partner class includes:

• • Blake Adams (Tupelo, Health Care) helps health care providers stay on top of a wide range of evolving regulatory issues, from Medicare reimbursement and the False Claims Act to HIPAA compliance and certificates of need. He assists providers facing government audits and investigations, as well as guides them through the administrative appeals process for issues ranging from claim denials to Medicare revocations. He also works with clients to structure a wide variety of health care transactions, including joint ventures, acquisitions and professional services agreements.
  • Robert C. Bass (Tupelo, Business) combines transactional experience with a client-focused approach to help developers, landlords, tenants and financial institutions navigate commercial real estate transactions. His real estate practice includes the acquisition, development, leasing and financing of commercial properties across various industries, including energy, industrial, multi-family housing, health care and retail. He values client relationships and strives to understand each client’s desired outcome through consistent communication, responsiveness and collaboration at every stage of the transaction.
  • Harrison Golden (New Orleans, Litigation) manages high-exposure liability suits for clients in the financial, energy, railroad, technology and service industries. He is a sought-after litigator with experience handling significant antitrust, financial, trade secret, conversion and regulatory matters. He represents clients in the courtroom and through alternative dispute resolution, including arbitration, to resolve complex disputes.
  • Adam B. Harris (Gulfport, Litigation) is an accomplished litigator who is relied on by a diverse client base for dispute resolution in and out of court. He has extensive experience in a broad range of complex disputes, including commercial litigation, insurance coverage, contract claims, professional liability, products liability and construction defects. He is frequently trusted to represent clients in high-stakes “bet the company” litigation.
  • Arthur R. Kraatz (New Orleans, Admiralty) brings a deep understanding of local, state, and federal courts to his counsel on admiralty claims. He advises vessel owners, marine insurers, P&I clubs and other maritime businesses on investigations, litigation and appeals in matters ranging from vessel collisions to the defense of personal injury claims. He also advises maritime businesses on issues related to compliance with Jones Act coastwise trade and cabotage regulations. And he dedicates his time to pro bono work, including handling matters in federal court under the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction.
  • Danielle Mashburn-Myrick (Mobile, Litigation) focuses on finding solutions to bankruptcy, insolvency, restructuring and creditors’ rights issues, as well as commercial litigation, for clients in a wide range of industries. She represents community banks and global financial institutions as well as manufacturers, landlords and asset purchasers in reorganizations and liquidations. She advises companies in distress in connection with debt restructuring and workouts, and, when out-of-court options are unavailable, she represents corporate debtors though bankruptcy. She also works with creditors on commercial foreclosures, collection activities, and recovery of debts and obligations. And she defends lender liability claims and litigates contract disputes in state, bankruptcy and other federal courts.
  • Nicholas F. Morisani (Jackson, Labor and Employment) adds a unique blend of labor and employment and civil rights work. He leverages his labor and employment experience to help employers investigate and defend against discrimination, retaliation, sexual harassment and other employment claims. Through his civil rights practice, Nick helps state prison management and local detention facility operators navigate government and advocacy group investigations, claims challenging conditions of confinement and security operations, and consent decree compliance and termination.
  • Michael A. Orlando (Houston, Litigation) advises insurers and corporate clients in all matters that affect the U.S. energy and marine industries. He is an experienced litigator and has handled matters in various jurisdictions across the country throughout his career. Mike assists clients with contract drafting and negotiation, monitoring high-value lawsuits for insurers, coverage work, subrogation, and litigating personal injury, liability, contract and property damage disputes involving offshore and onshore energy and marine operations.
  • Daniel C. Steppick (Forth Worth, Litigation) helps businesses and professionals across Texas navigate legal hurdles. He counsels clients through every step of commercial litigation on a wide range of claims, from construction disputes and professional liability claims to landlord-tenant issues. Dan works closely with clients to understand their goals and tailor a litigation plan to best achieve them.